James W. Malone, Buffalo deputy fire commissioner

James W. Malone, a retired Buffalo deputy fire commissioner, died Tuesday in Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Town of Tonawanda. He was 68.

Born in Buffalo, he was a 1964 graduate of Bennett High School and worked as a member of Ironworkers Local 6, which his father served as president. He joined the Buffalo Fire Department in 1973.

Appointed chief administrator in 1997, he oversaw the department’s $1.5 million purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus, which included extensive testing, and he overhauled the department’s mask room.

Mr. Malone was named to one of the department’s three deputy commissioner posts in 2001 and oversaw hirings, promotions, transfers and retirements. He retired in 2003 after 30 years of service.

His son James III is the strength and conditioning coach for the New York Mets.